Stacking cooler

ABSTRACT

A cooler is composed of a number of stackable units. Each unit has inner and outer shells with an air space between them. The outer shell has bottom, side and end panels connected together forming an outer tub with a drain. An inner shell has bottom, side and end panels connected together forming an inner tub. Drain openings in the inner tub allow water to flow to the drain in the outer tub. The bottom panel of the inner shell is spaced from the bottom panel of the outer shell creating an air space therebetween. The bottom of one unit can nest in the top of another unit to stack the units one atop the other. Wheels are attached to the bottommost unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a cooler for chilling and displayingbeverages and other merchandise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Movable or portable ice-filled coolers are useful in a retailenvironment for chilling beverages and other items while putting themwithin easy reach of a consumer. A problem with coolers is that thatsometimes a consumer has to dig around in the ice to find the desiredproduct from among several different product brands. Even when a coolercontains only one product brand, that product may be completely coveredby the ice and out of view requiring the consumer to dig around in theice to find it. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would behighly desirable to have cooler that chills products while keeping theproducts visible and accessible. It is also desirable to have a coolerthat can be easily moved about.

In convenience stores, chilled beverages may be impulse purchase itemsthat must be placed in or along the pathway of the consumer. Suchlocations are the end of aisle, open space near the check-out, and inthe aisle itself. Waist high cylindrical coolers are often used in suchlocations but cannot be seen from all directions because store shelvingobscures the view. It is desirable to have a cooler that places productat eye level and positions the beverage containers so that they arevisible from several directions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of theproblems set forth above. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect ofthe present invention, a cooler has a plurality of units that stack atopone another. Each stackable unit comprises inner and outer shells. Theouter shell has a bottom panel, opposed side panels connected to boththe bottom panel and opposed end panels connected to the bottom and sidepanels. One of the side panels defines a drain. The inner shell has abottom panel, opposed side panels connected to the bottom panel andopposed end panels connected to the bottom and side panels. One of theside and bottom panels defines a drain opening. The bottom panel of theinner shell is spaced from the bottom panel of the outer shell creatingan insulating air space therebetween.

To facilitate stacking, a pair of opposed ledges are formed in opposedtop portions of the inner and outer end panels, and a pair of opposedlegs extend downward from the bottom panel of the outer shell adjacentthe opposed end panels of the outer shell. The legs rest on the ledgefor stacking. Stacking the units one atop the other allows the drain ofan upper unit to dispense water to a lower unit for easier removal ofspent liquid. In another embodiment, stacking is accomplished usingopenings in one unit that mate with protrusions in another unit.

The cooler can be equipped with a base member that has a sidewall withan internal ledge thereon for receiving a stackable unit. The sidewallalso has upper and lower portions with the upper portion overhanging thelower portion. Wheels are supported on a bottom wall making the coolermobile for easy positioning on the merchandise floor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a cooler comprisesa bottom tub having a bottom panel, opposed front and rear tub panelsattached to the bottom panel and opposed left and right end panelsattached to the bottom panel and to the front and rear tub panels. Theleft and right end panels extend upward from the bottom panel to anelevation above the front and rear panels. The left and right end panelseach have opposed side edges extending upward and outward away from thefront and rear tub panels. The left and right end panels extend the tubupward above the front and rear tub panels.

A front connecting panel is attached to a front edge of the left endpanel and a front edge of the right end panel. A front bridging panelhas end portions attached to the left and right end panels and has sideedges attached to the front connecting panel and the front tub panel. Arear connecting panel is attached to a rear edge of the left end paneland a rear edge of the right end panel. A rear bridging panel has endportions attached to the left and right end panels and has side edgesattached to the rear connecting panel and the rear tub panel.

The cooler also has a top tub that is identical to the bottom tub and isattached to the bottom tub. A drain is positioned to drain the top tubinto the bottom tub so that water from melting ice cascades from anupper tub down into a lower tub.

These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a reviewof the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments andappended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a coolerwith three stackable units and a base unit with wheels according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the stackable units ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the cooler of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of one cooler unit takenalong line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another preferred embodiment of acooler with three stackable units and a base unit with wheels accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded front perspective view of stackable units ofsimilar to FIG. 1 but illustrating another preferred embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of one cooler unit takenalong line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of another preferred embodiment of acooler with three stackable units and a base unit with a curvedsidewall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a cooler 10 is comprised of a base unit 12 and anumber of stackable units 14 that stack atop one another. Base unit 12has a sidewall with an internal ledge 16 thereon for receiving the oneof the stackable units 14. The sidewall has upper and lower portions 18,20 with the upper portion 18 overhanging the lower portion 20. A bottomwall 22 is attached to lower sidewall portion 20. Bottom wall 22 mayhave lateral or transverse reinforcing ribs 26. Wheel means 24, such asactual wheels, coasters or rollers, are attached to the bottom wall.

Each stackable unit 14 has an outer shell 28 and an inner shell 30.Outer shell 28 has a bottom panel 32, opposed side panels 34, 36connected to bottom panel 32 and opposed end panels 38, 40 connected tothe bottom and side panels. Side panel 36 defines a drain 42. A tube ordrain hose 43 may extend from the drain opening of the bottommoststackable unit instead of a spigot.

Inner shell 30 has a bottom panel 44, opposed side panels 46, 48connected to bottom panel 44 and opposed end panels 50, 52 connected tothe bottom and side panels. One of the side and bottom panels define adrain opening or openings 54. The bottom panel 44 of the inner shell 30is spaced from the bottom panel 32 of the outer shell 28 creating aninsulating air space therebetween. The inner shell 30 is preferablyspaced from the outer shell 28 by an insulating air space. The air spacebetween the bottom panels 32, 44 can vary from one stackable unit to thenext to accommodate containers of different volumes and dimensions.

Top portions of inner shell 30 and outer shell 28 are joined togetheralong their top edges or with a connecting panel forming opposed endpanels of the stackable unit. A pair of opposed ledges 56, 58 are formedin the opposed end panels to facilitate stacking. A pair of opposed legs60, 62 extend downward from the bottom panel 44 of outer shell 28adjacent opposed end panels 50, 52 of outer shell 28. The ledges 56, 58and legs 60, 62 form a means for stacking one unit with another.

The end panels 50, 52 of outer shell 28 each have bottom, middle and topportions. The bottom portion preferably has a rectangular configuration.The middle portion extends upward from the bottom portion and has agreater width than the bottom portion. The top portion has an isoscelestrapezoid configuration with the base or long parallel side of thetrapezoid adjoining the middle portion.

Similarly, the end panels 38, 40 of inner shell 30 each have bottom,middle and top portions. The bottom portion preferably has a rectangularconfiguration. The middle portion extends upward from the bottom portionand has a greater width than the bottom portion. The top portion has anisosceles trapezoid configuration with the base or long parallel side ofthe trapezoid adjoining the middle portion. The end panels 50, 52 ofouter shell 28 may be of the same dimensions as the end panels 38, 40 ofinner shell 30 but do not necessarily have to be the same.

Each unit includes a pair of opposed internal ledges 64, 66 with eachledge located at the junction of the base panel 32, and one of the innerside panels 46, 48. Top portions of each of the opposed side panels 46,48 preferably have an elevation less than the elevation of the base ofthe isosceles trapezoid of the top portions of the end panels.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, a cooler has a lower tub 64 having a bottompanel 66, opposed front and rear tub panels 68, 70 attached to bottompanel 66 and opposed left and right end panels 72, 74 attached to bottompanel 66 and to the front and rear tub panels 68, 70. The left and rightend panels 72, 74 extend upward from bottom panel 66 to an elevationabove the topmost portions of front and rear panels 68, 70. The left andright end panels 72, 74 each have opposed side edges extending upwardand outward away from front and rear tub panels 68, 70. Left and rightend panels 72, 74 extend tub 64 upward above front and rear tub panels68, 70.

A front connecting panel 76 is attached to a front edge of left endpanel 72 and a front edge of right end panel 74. A front bridging panel78 has end portions attached to left and right end panels 72, 74 and hasside edges attached to front connecting panel 76 and front tub panel 68.Similarly, a rear connecting panel 80 is attached to a rear edge of leftend panel 72 and a rear edge of right end panel 74. A rear bridgingpanel 80 has its end portions attached to left and right end panels 72,74 and has its side edges attached to rear connecting panel 80 and reartub panel 70.

An upper tub 82 has a bottom panel 84, opposed front and rear tub panels86, 88 attached to bottom panel 84 and opposed left and right end panels90, 92 attached to bottom panel 84 and to front and rear tub panels 86,88. Left and right end panels 90, 92 extend upward from bottom panel 84to an elevation above the topmost portions of front and rear panels 86,88. Left and right end panels 90, 92 each have opposed side edgesextending upward and outward away from front and rear tub panels 86, 88.Left and right end panels 90, 92 extend tub 82 upward above front andrear tub panels 86, 88.

A front connecting panel 94 is attached to a front edge of left endpanel 90 and a front edge of right end panel 92. A front bridging panel96 has end portions attached to left and right end panels 90, 92 and hasside edges attached to front connecting panel 94 and front tub panel 86.A rear connecting panel 98 is attached to a rear edge of left end panel90 and a rear edge of right end panel 92. A rear bridging panel 100 hasits end portions attached to left and right end panels 90, 92 and hasits side edges attached to rear connecting panel 98 and rear tub panel88.

A drain 102 is positioned to carry water from melting ice in upper tub82 to lower tub 64, to a drain of a plumbing system or other locationfor recycling or disposal. In its simplest form drain 102 may be anopening through which water flows or drips out of the upper tub into thelower tub. The drain may incorporate a tube or hose for delivering waterfrom one tub to another. When the drain is located in an end panel orbottom panel, a tube or hose is inconspicuous. In some instances whereseveral units are stacked one atop the other, it may be desirable to usethe bottom tub solely for collecting water. This is particularly usefulwhere there is no building drain nearby and running a hose is notpossible or practicable. Using the bottommost tub in such a manner isacceptable where the object is to have the product at eye level. Whenproduct is placed in the lowermost tub, it can be chilled from the watercascading from the upper tubs.

The left and right end panels 90, 92 have top edges with openings 104,106 formed therein and bottom edges with protrusions 108, 110 extendingdownward therefrom. Protrusions 108 is received in openings 104 whileprotrusions 110 are received in openings 106. The protrusions andopenings thus form a means for attaching one tub atop another tub.

Wheel means 112 are attached to the bottom panel 66 of lower tub 64 sothat the cooler can be easily moved about to position it at the desiredlocation, to refill it with product or ice, or to empty accumulatedwater.

Referring to FIG. 8, a cooler 114 is comprised of a base unit 116 and anumber of stackable units 118 that stack atop one another. Base unit 116has a sidewall 120 that curves inward creating a space for a drainbucket. Stackable units 118 have cascading drains with the bottom mostunit draining into a drain bucket positioned under it in the curvedsidewall 120. The curved sidewall makes removing spent water easy whenit is desired to keep the cooler fixed in position and a drain hose isnot practical or desired.

It can now be appreciated that a cooler has been presented which has aplurality of units that stack atop one another. Each stackable unitcomprises inner and outer shells. The outer shell has a bottom panel,opposed side panels connected to the bottom panel and opposed end panelsconnected to the bottom and side panels. One of the side panels definesa drain. The inner shell is similarly constructed. The bottom panel ofthe inner shell is spaced from the bottom panel of the outer shellcreating an insulating air space therebetween.

To facilitate stacking, a pair of opposed ledges are formed in opposedtop portions of the inner and outer end panels, and a pair of opposedlegs extend downward from the bottom panel of the outer shell adjacentthe opposed end panels of the outer shell. The legs rest on the ledgefor stacking. Stacking the units one atop the other allows the drain ofan upper unit to dispense water to a lower unit for easier removal.

The cooler can be equipped with a base member that has a sidewall withan internal ledge thereon for receiving a stackable unit. The sidewallalso has upper and lower portions with the upper portion overhanging thelower portion. Wheels are supported on a bottom wall making the coolermobile for easy positioning on a merchandise floor.

The panels can have curved edges for aesthetic appeal. The ledges holdthe beverage containers at an angle for ease of removal and appearance.The drain may be a valve or faucet to control water flow to facilitatedraining the water into a pail or other receptacle.

It can also be appreciated that another embodiment of a cooler comprisesa bottom tub having a bottom panel, opposed front and rear tub panelsattached to the bottom panel and opposed left and right end panelsattached to the bottom panel and to the front and rear tub panels. Theleft and right end panels extend upward from the bottom panel to anelevation above the front and rear panels. The left and right end panelseach have opposed side edges extending upward and outward away from thefront and rear tub panels. The left and right end panels extend the tubupward above the front and rear tub panels.

A front connecting panel is attached to a front edge of the left endpanel and a front edge of the right end panel. A front bridging panelhas end portions attached to the left and right end panels and has sideedges attached to the front connecting panel and the front tub panel. Arear connecting panel is attached to a rear edge of the left end paneland a rear edge of the right end panel. A rear bridging panel has endportions attached to the left and right end panels and has side edgesattached to the rear connecting panel and the rear tub panel. The panelsmay be insulating panels that help keep the beverages cold.

The cooler also has a top tub that is identical to the bottom tub and isattached to the bottom tub. A drain is positioned to drain the top tubinto the bottom tub so that water from melting ice cascades from anupper tub down into a lower tub.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to thepreferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements of the preferred embodiments without departing from invention.For example, it is contemplated that the cooler units areinterchangeable but graphics can be added for product identificationwhich would render units unique and not interchangeable after graphicsare applied.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of theinvention are not limited to the particular details of the examplesillustrated, and it is therefore contemplated that other modificationsand applications will occur to those skilled in the art. For example,the tub may be of configurations other than the rectangular bottomedconfiguration described. It is accordingly intended that the claimsshall cover all such modifications and applications as do not departfrom the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A cooler having a plurality of units stackable atop one another, eachsaid unit comprising: an outer shell having a bottom panel, opposed sidepanels connected to said bottom panel and opposed end panels connectedto said bottom and side panels, one of said side panels defining adrain; an inner shell having a bottom panel, opposed side panelsconnected to said bottom panel and opposed end panels connected to saidbottom and side panels, one of said side and bottom panels defining adrain opening, said bottom panel of said inner shell being spaced fromsaid bottom panel of said outer shell creating an air spacetherebetween; and means for stacking said unit with another unit.
 2. Acooler, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for stackingincludes: a pair of opposed ledges formed in opposed top portions ofsaid inner and outer end panels; and a pair of opposed legs extendingdownward from said bottom panel of said outer shell adjacent saidopposed end panels of said outer shell.
 3. A cooler, as set forth inclaim 1, wherein said end panels of said outer shell each have a bottomportion, a middle portion extending from said bottom portion and havinga greater width than said bottom portion, and a top portion having anisosceles trapezoid configuration with the base of the trapezoidadjoining said middle portion.
 4. A cooler, as set forth in claim 3,wherein said bottom portion has a rectangular configuration.
 5. Acooler, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said top portion has anisosceles trapezoid configuration with a long parallel side adjoiningsaid middle portion.
 6. A cooler, as set forth in claim 1, wherein saidend panels of inner shell each have a bottom portion, a middle portionextending from said bottom portion and having a greater width than saidbottom portion, and a top portion having an isosceles trapezoidconfiguration with the base of the trapezoid adjoining said middleportion.
 7. A cooler, as set forth in claim 6, including a pair ofopposed ledges with each ledge located at the junction of said basepanel and one of said side panels.
 8. A cooler, as set forth in claim 7,wherein top portions of each of said opposed side panels have anelevation less than the elevation of said base of said isoscelestrapezoid of said top portion.
 9. A cooler, as set forth in claim 6,wherein said top portion has an isosceles trapezoid configuration with along parallel side adjoining said middle portion.
 10. A cooler, as setforth in claim 1, including a base member having a sidewall with aninternal ledge thereon for receiving said unit.
 11. A cooler, as setforth in claim 10, wherein said sidewall has upper and lower portionswith said upper portion overhanging said lower portion.
 12. A cooler, asset forth in claim 11, including: a bottom wall attached to saidsidewall; and wheel means attached to said bottom wall.
 13. A cooler, asset forth in claim 1, including: a bottom unit having an inwardlycurving sidewall.
 14. A cooler, comprising: a bottom tub having a bottompanel, opposed front and rear tub panels attached to said bottom paneland opposed left and right end panels attached to said bottom panel andto said front and rear tub panels, said left and right end panelsextending upward from said bottom panel to an elevation above said frontand rear panels, said left and right end panels each having opposed sideedges extending upward and outward away from said front and rear tubpanels, said left and right end panels extending said tub upward abovesaid front and rear tub panels; a front connecting panel attached to afront edge of said left end panel and a front edge of said right endpanel; a front bridging panel having end portions attached to said leftand right end panels and having side edges attached to said frontconnecting panel and said front tub panel; a rear connecting panelattached to a rear edge of said left end panel and a rear edge of saidright end panel; and a rear bridging panel having end portions attachedto said left and right end panels and having side edges attached to saidrear connecting panel and said rear tub panel.
 15. A cooler, as setforth in claim 14, including; a top tub having a bottom panel, opposedfront and rear tub panels attached to said bottom panel and opposed leftand right end panels attached to said bottom panel and to said front andrear tub panels, said left and right end panels extending upward fromsaid bottom panel to an elevation above said front and rear panels, saidleft and right end panels each having opposed side edges extendingupward and outward away from said front and rear tub panels, said leftand right end panels extending said tub upward above said front and reartub panels; a front connecting panel attached to a front edge of saidleft and panel and a front edge of said right end panel; a frontbridging panel having end portions attached to said left and right endpanels and having side edges attached to said front connecting panel andsaid front tub panel; a rear connecting panel attached to a rear edge ofsaid left and panel and a rear edge of said right end panel; a rearbridging panel having end portions attached to said left and right endpanels and having side edges attached to said rear connecting panel andsaid rear tub panel; a drain positioned to empty said top tub into saidbottom tub; and means for attaching said top tub atop said bottom tub.16. A cooler having a plurality of units stacked atop one another, eachsaid unit comprising: a tub having a bottom panel, opposed front andrear tub panels attached to said bottom panel and opposed left and rightend panels attached to said base panel and to said front and rear tubpanels, said left and right end panels extending upward from said bottompanel to an elevation above said front and rear tub panels, said leftand right end panels each having opposed side edges extending upward andoutward away from said front and rear tub panels, said left and rightend panels extending said tub upward above said front and rear tubpanels; a front connecting panel attached to said front tub panel, afront edge of said left end panel and a front edge of said right endpanel; and a rear connecting panel attached to said rear tub panel, arear edge of said left end panel and a rear edge of said right endpanel, said front and rear connecting panels extending said tub upwardabove said front and rear tub panels.
 17. A cooler, as set forth inclaim 16, wherein said left and right end panels each have a top edgewith openings formed therein.
 18. A cooler, as set forth in claim 16,wherein said left and right end panels each have a bottom edge withprotrusions formed thereon.
 19. A cooler, as set forth in claim 16,including wheel means attached to said bottom panel.
 20. A cooler, asset forth in claim 16, including a drain in one of said bottom, fronttub, rear tub, left end and right end panels.